Dhamma: A Theravada Buddhist Society was founded in 1980 to support the work of the late Anagarika Dhammadinna, a Buddhist nun in the Theravada Buddhist tradition. Originally based on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada, where Anagarika once lived, the Society currently includes members from “the Coast,” the lower mainland, other parts of BC, and Alberta.
The vision of the founding members of the Society was to operate for educational and charitable purposes through the teaching of the tenets of Theravada Buddhism, to offer meditation retreats and study sessions in this tradition, and to strive to establish a centre for these activities.
Anagarika taught meditation and the Abbidhamma. She also brought accomplished monastic scholars to BC to teach. These included the Venerable Piyadasi Maha Thera, Venerable Balangoda Anandamaitreya Mahanayaka Thera, Venerable Nyanasatta Maha Thera, Venerable Ayya Khema and Achan Sobin Namto. She deemed the Venerable Dr Madawela Punnaji Maha Thera to be our teacher.
Anagarika personally trained many students to teach. These include Ajahn Pavaro (formerly Philo Hove), Jayantā (Shirley Johannesen), Dr Gregory Kramer, Dr Edward & Mariette Berinstein, Dr Christopher & Dianne Robinson, Shurli Chan, Stephen Roehrig, Carol Brophy and Kirthi Senaratne.
At its June 23, 2025 AGM, the membership of the Society voted to request that the BC Registrar dissolve the Dhamma Buddhist Society. This was due to the inability to fill enough vacant executive and board positions in accordance with our bylaws, after many requests and much follow-up. The membership also voted to distribute the Society’s net assets to the Canmore Theravada Buddhist Community and Monastery (CTBC), a charitable organization in good standing in Alberta. It is expected that the dissolution process will be completed by the end of 2025. Those interested are encouraged to participate in CTBC meditation sittings and events posted on their home page.
2025/26 Board of Directors
President: Jean Karlinski
Vice President: Shurli Chan
Secretary: Laura Wilson
Treasurer: Sandy McBride
At large: Mary Findlay & Ron Usher
Dhamma Buddhist Society 